Seaford Climbers on a High after Three Peaks Challenge

FOUR students and five members of staff from Walled Garden West tackled the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the Air Ambulance.
The challenge is to complete the three highest summits in Scotland, England and Wales in less than 24 hours – including driving more than 500 miles.
Ben Nevis was first up and they began climbing at 6am. Despite the wind and rain starting at about 200 metres below the summit, they reached the top just before 9am. By 11am they were back on the bus and headed straight for Scafell Pike in the Lake District. They arrived at Wasdale Head a little after 5pm and reached the summit just before 7pm. The team were fortunate with the weather and, although it clouded over, it was the only peak where they were going to get a good view.
At 8.30pm the team headed to Snowdon in North Wales. They arrived at 2.20am and headed straight up the Pyg Track towards the summit.
After losing the path they descended to the Miners track and took this up to 980 metres (100 metres from the summit). At this point the path became very difficult to find and with cloud rapidly descending they took the view to call this their summit. After a quick picture they headed back down and arrived at the car park at 6.40am – just missing out on the 24 hours by 40 minutes.
Matthew Pitteway said: “The trip was a tremendous success and even though we didn’t actually make the 24 hours or even reach the third summit, we all felt it was a really positive experience and one we hope to repeat next year.
“We really appreciate the generous sponsorship pledges that have been made.”